pancoast



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. E. PANCOAST. PARCEL EELIVEEY SYSTEM.

PatentedApr. 20, 1897.

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(Nb Model.) A 3 sheets-sheen 2.' G. E. PANCOAST.

vPARGHL DELIVERY' SYSTEM. `No. 581,131. 1ate11'ed Apr. 20, 1897.

(No Model.)A a sheets-sheet' a.

G..E. P`AN00AST. y PARCEL DELIVERY SYSTEM.

No. 581,131. Patented Apr. 20, 1897.

'Nrren STATES Fries.

PARCEL-DELIVERY SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATIQNforming part of Letters Patent No. 581,1 31, dated April 20, 1897.

Applieatifn led .Tune 11,1896. Serial No. 595,157. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it knownthat I, GEORGE E. PANcoAsr, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city, county of New York, and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Parcel-Delivery Systems, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompan ying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to an improved par-A cel-delivery system of the class especially adapted for handling bundles of newspapers, the object of the invention being to provide a system of this character adaptable for transmitting bundles of papers or other matter from any given location to points remote therefrom, situated either upon a level or varying elevations.

In carrying out the invention I employ a novel combination of parts, and especially a universal endless chain adaptable for carrying depending bundle-receptacles and for traveling in any direction, whereby bundles may be taken on at one location and delivered at a remote distance therefrom at diiferent elevations.

The invention will be hereinafter fully described, and specifically set forth in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specilication, Figure l is a side elevation of my improved construction. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional elevation taken on a linezrxof Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a portion of the construction. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional elevation taken on a liney y of Fig. 4. Figs.

G and 7 are detail views of depending receptacles for parcels adapted for use in my system. Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional elevation illustrating a means for driving the chain used in my system and Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a portion of the system, illustrating a means for guiding the chain when it is travcling from one elevation to another.

In the practice of my invention I provide, primarily, an endless cha-in A. Said chain comprises' a plurality of hexagonal plates a and links a for connecting them. Located at regular distances upon the under surfaces of these said plates are depending lugs or arms CL2, which said arms are adapted to carry depending parcel-receptacles B, which said receptacles are preferably made of a single piece of malleable sheet metal, and they comprise a depending arm b and branches b', the outer ends of which branches are bent upwardly for forming the completed parcel-carrying receptacle, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings. These said receptacles may be otherwise constructed, but the structure l herein shown and described, being of a simple and inexpensive nature, is preferable. The said chain Ais extended around anysuitable area of any desired contour. In the drawings I have illustrated an angular contour, and it is mounted, where it travels upon a straight line in a horizontal direction, upon beveled rollers O, which said rollers are journaled in boxes d of hangers D. At points where the chain takes varying directions upon the same horizontal level the chain is mounted upon grooved rollers E, which said rollers are j ournaled upon the lower ends of depending hangers D. To further support the chain at the points where its direction changes, angle-iron bearings F are provided. These said bearings support the outer edges of the plates a and prevent the chain from leaving the grooves e of the rollers E. These said bearings F are mounted upon hangers D2.

At the points where the chain leaves a horizontal line for the purpose of reaching another elevation vertical rollers C are provided,which said rollers bear against the lower surfaces of the plates (L at the inner and outer edges thereof, whereby a suiiicient space is left for the passage of the carriers B, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. These said rollers should not be of a diameter greater than the combined length of the arms a2 and h, whereby the passage of the parcel-carrier B will not be obstructed, and the object of lusing the beveled rollers E is to leave plenty of room for the passage of said carriers, while at the same time a roller of a large diameter can be used, whereby friction is reduced.

As a means for driving the chain I provide a sprocket-wheel Gr, which said wheel has two IOO sets of teeth g projected radially from the periphery thereof. These said teeth are angular in contour and engage with the angular spaces separating the plates a from each other. Said wheel G is mounted upon a suitable shaft G', which is j ou rnaled within boxes (Z/ of suitable hangers D3. This said wheel, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, is located above the receptacles B, and it is supplied with an annular groove g for receiving` the links a. IVhen the wheel is thus used above the chain, a set of beveled rollers C should be at each side thereof for maintaining the chain in engagement with said wheel, as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. l of the drawings.

rIhe driving-wheel is revolved by a suitable pulley II, which is mounted on the shaft G'. This said pulley is driven by a belt- 7i, which may be attached to any suitable driving mechanism.

In Fig. 8 of the drawings I have illustrated the driving-wheel placed beneath the chain, and in this construction said wheel must comprise two separate parts G2 and G3, which said parts are provided with teeth g, located directly opposite to each other. These said wheels G2 and Gfg are mounted upon shafts I and I', which are journaled within boxes dT72 of hangers D1. Mounted upon the shafts I and I' are gear-wheels J and J', which said wheels gear with pinions K, which are mounted upon a shaft Il, which is supported by the hanger D4. This said shaft L is provided with a pulley II' for engagement with a belt 71,/ for driving the mechanism.

In Fig. 9 of the drawings the arms a2 of the plates a are lengthened to a considerable extent, whereby when the chain takes a vertical position the carriers will not contact therewith. \Vhen the chain is passed from one elevation to another upon a slight incline, as illustrated in Fig. 1t of the drawings, it is not necessary to so lengthen the arms a2.

In the operation of the device the drivingpulley will be given continuous rotary motion, which motion being communicated to the drivingwheels and thence the chain said chain will be caused to travel continuously, whereby parcels M maybe placed within the receptacles B and carried from any given place to another situated in the line of travel of the chain.

I do-not confine myself to the specific details of mere mechanical construction as herein described and shown, as it is obvious that under the scope of myinvention I am entitled to variations of detail.

IIaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. As a means for transmitting parcels, a construction comprising an endless chain composed of a plurality of hexagonal plates and connecting-links therefor, and a plurality of depending receptacles connected to the centers of said plates, and means for supporting and driving the chain, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a parcel-deliveryapparatus, the combination of an endless chain composed of hexagonal plates and connecting-links therefor, a plurality of parcel-carrying recegtaeles suspended centrally from the plates of said chain, friction-rollers for supporting the said chain at each side, grooved rollers for guiding same in a curved direction, and a sprocketwheel for driving the chain, sul )stantially as shown and described. l Asameans for transmit-ting bundles, the combination of an endless chain composed of hexagonal plates and links for connecting said plates, a plurality of suspended carri ers which swing upon arms projected from the center of said plates, and means for supporting and guidingthe said chain; with a sprocket-wheel comprising two sections which permit the depending arms to pass between them, each section having peripheral angular teeth thereon which are located opposite to each other and which engage the said hexagonal plates on each side for the purpose of driving the chain, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a parcel-delivery apparatus, an endless chain comprising a plurality of hexagonal plates and a plurality of links for connecting said plates to each other, said plates having arms projected centrally therefrom and bundle-carrying receptacles depending from said arms, the chain being adapted for traveling in varying directions, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of two witnesses, this 5th day of June, 1896.

GEORGE E. IAN COAST.

\\'itnesses:

MARCELLA G. McLEaN, BELLE McCoMB.

IOO 

